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2026 new update PSYC 405: Creating a Working Alliance Skill Assignment 1
Athabasca University
PSYC 405: Skill Assignment 1
Department of Psychology, Athabasca University
PSYC 405: Creating a Working Alliance
Dr. Maureen McCallum
, SKILL ASSIGNMENT 1 2
Introduction
The purpose of the session was to help the client address problems that he is experiencing
in the workplace. Issues such as toxic work environment, favoritism, inefficient management
techniques, and disrespect from employees are among the frequent factors that are impacting the
client at work and subsequently, his personal life. The video demonstrates the establishment of a
working alliance between Avinaash (counselor) and his client, Sunil. Avinaash will use open
questions, closed questions, and declarative probes to establish the goals and tasks of the session.
He will also use summaries to ensure that there is a mutual understanding of the issues that the
client is experiencing.
According to Greenson, the working alliance refers to the reasonable rapport that the
client has with the counselor and that enables the client to work purposefully in the counseling
situation (Meara & Patton, 1994). Another important element of the working alliance is the
client’s ability to step back from their ongoing experience to evaluate themselves. Doing so
allows the clients to reflect on their contributions to the conversation in addition to the
counselor’s interventions (Meara & Patton, 1994). Further, Bordin (1979) suggested that the
working alliance promotes improvement in client self-esteem and confidence, catalyzing change.
Skill Quality
An appropriate summary was used in the audio session; it highlighted how workplace
management’s use of favoritism is hampering efficiency and cooperation because some workers
feel entitled to preferential treatment. The main purpose of using summarization is to structure
the session by identifying themes across the client’s messages (Hiebert, 2005). Furthermore, the
summary came towards the end of the session to recap some of the themes discussed and overall,
attempted to highlight the primary reasons why the client is being affected.
2026 new update PSYC 405: Creating a Working Alliance Skill Assignment 1
Athabasca University
PSYC 405: Skill Assignment 1
Department of Psychology, Athabasca University
PSYC 405: Creating a Working Alliance
Dr. Maureen McCallum
, SKILL ASSIGNMENT 1 2
Introduction
The purpose of the session was to help the client address problems that he is experiencing
in the workplace. Issues such as toxic work environment, favoritism, inefficient management
techniques, and disrespect from employees are among the frequent factors that are impacting the
client at work and subsequently, his personal life. The video demonstrates the establishment of a
working alliance between Avinaash (counselor) and his client, Sunil. Avinaash will use open
questions, closed questions, and declarative probes to establish the goals and tasks of the session.
He will also use summaries to ensure that there is a mutual understanding of the issues that the
client is experiencing.
According to Greenson, the working alliance refers to the reasonable rapport that the
client has with the counselor and that enables the client to work purposefully in the counseling
situation (Meara & Patton, 1994). Another important element of the working alliance is the
client’s ability to step back from their ongoing experience to evaluate themselves. Doing so
allows the clients to reflect on their contributions to the conversation in addition to the
counselor’s interventions (Meara & Patton, 1994). Further, Bordin (1979) suggested that the
working alliance promotes improvement in client self-esteem and confidence, catalyzing change.
Skill Quality
An appropriate summary was used in the audio session; it highlighted how workplace
management’s use of favoritism is hampering efficiency and cooperation because some workers
feel entitled to preferential treatment. The main purpose of using summarization is to structure
the session by identifying themes across the client’s messages (Hiebert, 2005). Furthermore, the
summary came towards the end of the session to recap some of the themes discussed and overall,
attempted to highlight the primary reasons why the client is being affected.
